The third overall selection in this year’s draft has taken ownership of the Patriots.

The New England Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall in this year’s draft in hopes of him eventually becoming their next franchise quarterback. Seven weeks into his rookie season, he has indeed begun taking ownership of the team.

Not only was he installed as the team’s starter at the position heading into Week 6, he also is emerging as a leader. For the 22-year-old himself, that just comes with the job.

“I think I’m starting to become more of a leader. That’s a big thing as a quarterback, you need to lead these guys,” he told WEEI while also acknowledging that he would “need to say more.”

“I need to be more positive on the sideline and pump people up and fly around. [Alex Van Pelt] always preaches picking people up once they’re on the ground or getting tackled. I need to show some of that for myself, not just the quarterback standing in the back. I think it comes as the season goes on. Not trying to be in there and be the raw-raw guy when you get the nod as the starter, but it comes with playing football and making plays.”

When Maye joined the Patriots in the first round back in April, he entered a quarterback room led by offseason acquisition Jacoby Brissett. The thought behind the pairing was that Brissett, an eight-year veteran coming into 2024, would serve as a mentor for the rookie and the new-look offense as a whole.

Brissett did that throughout the offseason and in the early portions of the regular season, getting voted a captain along the way. However, his inefficiency as a quarterback eventually led to head coach Jerod Mayo handing the keys to the offense to Maye.

In his two games as a starter, the youngster has faced his fair share of adversity. However, despite New England going 0-2 to drop to 1-6 on the year, he is actively trying to assert himself as a leader.

To do that, Maye is focusing on the relationships he has built with the players around him.

“You treat guys differently based on your relationship with them and kind of their personality,” he said. “I think those guys up front, just keep pumping them up. They keep fighting their butts off all game, and a lot of the times they don’t get the credit they deserve. Maybe those guys, pump them up.

“Or maybe a guy like Hunter [Henry], that I’m starting to build a relationship with, I can kind of get on them, like, ‘Hey, Hunt. We need you there.’ Or [Austin] Hooper, those tight end guys that I know we feel like we’re building a nice connection with; maybe get on those guys a little more than maybe the offensive line or some of the receivers.”

The wideouts in particular have been in the spotlight this season. Between a lack of production early on and some frustration expressed by several members of the group, the 2024 season has not yet gone particularly well for the receiver room.

Maye himself, meanwhile, sees leading that group as part of his responsibility.

“As a quarterback of the football team, my job is to hone those guys in, keeping them in line and also giving them chances on the field,” he explained. “Those guys are good players, and they just want to make plays and want the football in their hands. You can’t get mad at them for that part. As the season on and these weeks come by, they’re going to get more and more opportunities. Looking forward to seeing them make some plays.”